Boat propulsion mechanism with feathered paddles



y 1964 c. D. TOWN 3,131,772

BOAT PROPULSION MECHANISM WITH FEATHERED PADDLES Filed Dec. 27, 1960 Clinfon D. Town Ollllll INVENTOR- 1:9

United States Patent 3,131,772 BGAT PROPULSION lWECHANISli/I WITH FEATHERED PADDLES Clinton I). Town, 5305 SE. Bush St., Portland, Oreg. Filed Dec. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 78,670 8 Claims. (Cl. 170-151) This invention relates to boat propeller or propulsion mechanisms, and more particularly to feathered, paddletype propulsion mechanisms that include plural paddles and means for feathering them as the paddles are moved in and out of water. Related propiusion mechanisms are disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,918,892, and in a copending application of applicant entitled Feathered Paddle-Type Propulsion Mechanism, Serial No. 822,077, filed June 22, 1959 now Patent No. 3,027,863.

The patent above referred to discloses a propulsion mechanism comprising a pair of laterally spaced crank members rotatable about parallel and radially ofiset rotation axes. These mutually support plural paddles disposed between the crank members. Due to the offset of the axes, and because each paddle is mounted on both the crank members, on rotation of the crank members a movement is given to the paddles that results in their maintaining a fixed angular position with respect to water level.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved construction for a feathered paddle-type propulsion mechanism wherein power is transmitted to the paddles by means constructed so that balanced stresses occur in the paddles during their movement into and out of water. Where a series of paddles are entirely supported on members that rotate about ofliset axes, twisting stresses in the paddles result when they are moved under power through water, because the paddles are not, in a manner of speaking, balanced with respect to the members forcing them forwardly. Such twisting stresses have necessitated a design for the mechanism that can withstand the stresses, which somewhat complicates the paddle con struction, and While the stresses are withstood they are not eliminated. A feature of this invention is that such unequal stresses in the paddles do not occur.

Another object of the invention is to provide such improved propulsion mechanism, with movement of the paddles induced by means wherein balanced stressing results in the paddles, which also comprises a nonpowered rotatable disk or wheel for feathering the paddles. This wheel or disk, also referred to herein as a regulator Wheel, is disposed to one side of the paddles, and rotates about an axis offset with respect to the axis about which the paddles rotate. Since feathering only is produced by the regulator wheel, and the paddles are not powered through the wheel, the offset introduces no problematical imbalance of stresses.

Another object is to provide improved propulsion mechanism which utilizes a pair of radially ofiset and substantially parallel dead axles for suppor in the mechanism. The paddles and the means for rotating them are supported on one axle, and the regulator wheel or disk of the feathering mechanism is supported on the other. The dead axles have an adjacent set of ends, and these are interconnected by brace means, whereby each supports the other. The construction contributes rigidity to the entire mechanism.

Still another object or" the invention is to provide an improved mounting for the paddles, which accommodates their easy replacement or removal for repairs. The mounting, while enabling easy servicing, is strong and reliable.

Yet another object is to provide an improved construction for a paddle in a feathered paddle-type propulsion mechanism, which results in greater efficiency in the operation of the paddle.

Still other objects and advantages are attained by the invention and these will become apparent asthe following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view looking down at the top of a propulsion mechanism contsructed according to this invention, and showing one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 22 in PEG. 1, and illustrating the mounting of the paddles and details of the construction for the paddles;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 in FIG. 1 and;

FIG. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing a modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, 10 and 12 indicate portions of a boat hull used in mounting the propulsion mechanism. The hull portions are spaced apart, and between them is an open space 13 that leads to the usual water supporting a boat. Additional details of the hull construction are not illustrated, as they are not important in understanding the invention. It should be obvious that any of several known forms of boat hulls may be used, with the propulsion mechanism operating as contemplated.

Supported on hull portion 16, 12 are a pair of substantially parallel, laterally oifset dead axles 14, 16. These are in a common horizontal plane, and have an adjacent set of ends 14a, 16:; that are shown in the drawings as overlapping. From this adjacent set of ends, the axles extend outwardly and away from each other.

Means are provided securing together the adjacent set of ends, whereby the axles support each other, and securing, the ends of the axles opposite the adjacent set of ends to hull portions 1%, 12. Specifically, extending between ends 14a, 15a is a brace bar 20. This is suitably fixed to the axle ends, as by welding. The brace bar makes a stiff connection between the two axles. The axle ends opposite ends 14a, 16a fit within split mountings 22. With reference in particular to FIG. 3, each mounting 2 has an upper and a lower half, indicated at 22a, 22b, respectively. Bolts 23 extending through each mounting and into the hull portion below it hold the mounting halves together and secure them in place. One of the bolts 23 extends through the axle fitted into the mounting.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, axle 14 rotatably supports paddle mechanism indicated generally at 23, and axle 16 supports feathering mechanism 26 operable to feather the paddles of mechanism 23. Each of these now will be described in detail.

Considering first paddle mechanism 28, at 36 there is indicated an elongated driving member or sleeve that extends along the length of axle 14 and is journaled on the axle. Abutting the ends of the sleeve are spacers 32, 34 also encircling axle 14. The spacers position the sleeve between mounting 22 and bar 2% and inhibit axial shifting of the sleeve on the axle.

Joined to sleeve 38 for rotation conjointly with the sleeve are a pair of drive members or disks 40, 42. Each disk is concentrically arranged on the sleeve. The disks are spaced axially on the sleeve, with one adjacent the joined set of axle ends and one adjacent the end of axle '14 opposite the joined set of ends. The disks are connected to sleeve 3t? through hub plates 44, that are welded to the sleeve and are secured to the disks by screws 45.

Extending between disks 4t), 42, and journaled in each, as by a bearing 48, are a series of paddle spindles 52. The spindles are equally circumferentially spaced on the disks. A paddle means 53, which in the embodiment of FIG. 1

comprises a single paddle element 54, is mounted on each paddle spindle 52. The mounting for each paddle element 54 comprises collars 56 spaced on the spindle for the paddle element and connected to the paddle element by screws 58. The collars are fixed to a spindle 52 by pins 60 mechanism secured to the driving member or sleeve producing in and out movement of the paddles.

Paddle elements 54 are feathered as they undergo move- 7 ment in sweeps lay-feathering mechanism 26 positimed to one side of the paddle mechanism. In the embodimentof FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, mechanism 26 comprises a sleeve 70 journaled on axle or hearing member 16 and positioned'on the axle by spacers 72, 74. Secured to sleeve 70, through hub plate 75 and screws 73, is a regul ator wheel or disk 76. The regulator wheel is connected to each spindle 52 of the paddle mechanism through stub spindles 78 equally circumferentially spaced on the wheel. A stub spindle is provided each paddle spindle, and each is journaled on the regulator wheel as by bearing 80.

Joining the end of each stub spindle and the end of the paddle spindle associated therewith is a connector '82 with 7 ends fixed to the two spindles.

The regulator wheel is nonpow-ered, and rotates during operation of the propulsion mechanism only because of its connection through the stub spindles and connectors with powered drive disks 40, 42. The regulator wheel, since it rotates about an axis offset from the rotation of disks 49, 42, produces a turning of spindles 52 effective to keep paddle elements 54 upright.

A feature of the invention is that on rotation of disks 40, 42 (constituting drive mechanism for the paddle elements) the paddle elements are moved through the water while balanced on the drive mechanism. At 84 there is indicated a plane perpendicular to axle 14 and bisecting that part of it that between disks 40, 42. Note that the paddle elements and drive disks are symmetrical with respect to plane 84. On rotation of disks 40, 42 each paddle is forced forwardly with an equal amount of force appliedto opposite ends. There is no tendency forthe paddle elements to skew, as would be the case if the I paddle elements were driven by with ofiset axes and There is an they were not balanced on the drive disks. ofiset relationship where the paddle and stub spindles 78 are connected, but since the regulator disk or Wheel is nonpowered, such offset-produces no stress problems.

' Dead axles 14, 16am ofiset, but brace bar'20 firmly interopposite end edges by vertical flanges 88, 90, and along its top edge by a flange 92. The flanges define a form of cup, open at the bottom. On movement of a paddle element into the water, and with reference to FIG. 2, flat lace 86 moves straight into the water, without slapping the water. As a paddle element moves down and toward the rear, top flange 92 and vertical flanges 88, 90 inhibit water from moving laterally oil the face 86, increasing the ethciency of the paddle.

The pin and collar assemblies mounting the paddle elements on the paddle spindles provide for relatively easy removal o-fa paddle element in case servicing is needed.

With a paddle element mounted in place, the pins efiectively prevent rotation of the paddle element with respect to its spindle. The collars add strength to the spindles 4 where they have been drilled to permit the pins to be passed therethrongh.

Considering now the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4, here a pair of dead axles 100, 102 similar to axles 14, 16 have an adjacent set of endsa, 102a interconnected by brace means or bars 104. The ends of the axles opposite the adjacent set oi ends are mounted in place using split mountings 22 discussed in 7 connection with the first embodiment. p

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, instead of a pair of drive disks or members, a single, central drive disk is employed, and the paddle means are symmetrically arranged with respect to this central disk. V

Specifically, indicates a drive member or disk secured to a driving sleeve 112, the latter being journaled on laxle 100. Pulley 114 secured to sleeve 112 has a power dniven pulley belt 116 tnained thereover, and in way the sleeve isrotated under power. Rotation of the sleeve is accompanied with rotation of disk 110 and movement in sweeps of plural paddle means 120 spaced from each other about disk 110. 7

Each paddle means comprises a paddle element or section 122, and a paddle element or section 124 having the same size and configuration as element 122." The paddle elements of a paddle means 120 are disposed on opposite sides of disk 1'10, and are mounted on a paddle spindle 126 journaled in the disk using a bearing 128. The paddle elements are connected to the paddle spindle by collars 130 and pins 132, similar to those discussed for the paddle elements of the first embodiment.

lournaled on axle 102 is a sleeve 134 mounting a regulator wheel or disk 136 of the feathering mechanism. Disk 136 is provided about its circumference with stub spindles 138, one being provided {for each paddle spindle. Sets of paddle and stub spindles are :connected by connectors 140.

The operation of the device is substantially the same as the operation of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-3. On rotation of sleeve 112, disk 11% rotates, and the paddles are moved in circular sweeps. The offset relationship of the regulator disk means that the spindles are turned on disk 110in such vva way that the paddle elements always remain upright. A plane perpendicular to axle 100 and passing through the middle of disk 110 is shown at 142. The drive disk and paddle elements are symmetrical with .respectto plane, and thus a balanced stressing occurs when the paddle elements are moved through the As in the first embodiment, the two dead axles support each other. The tunction of disk 136, which is nonpowered, is to feather the paddle elements, and no detrimental stresses result lirom the olfset of the stub and paddle spindles.

In the two embodiments of the invention shown, the drive disks have large enough diameters to extend radially from the driving sleeve beyond the paddles, in all positions of the paddles. In this way, the disks provides protection against the paddles accidentally striking a bottom in low water. The disks, in effect, ride over the bottom while lifting the paddles upwardly.

I claim:

1. In boat propulsion mechanism, a pair of substan tially parallel dead axles laterally spaced from each other and having one set of ends adjacent each other, said axles extending away from each other progressing toward ends opposite said one'set of ends, brace means interconnecting said one set of axle ends whereby the two axles support each other and means mounting in fixed position said opposite set of axle ends, an elongated rotatable driving paddle means and drive mechanism being substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to said one axle so that on movement of the drive mechanism the paddle means are balanced thereon, feathering mechanism journaled on the other of said axles between its ends and connected to the paddle means operable to produce feathering of the paddle means on their movement in circular sweeps, and means for rotating said driving member.

2. In boat propulsion mechanism, a pair of substantially parallel dead axles laterally spaced from each other and having one set of ends adjacent each other, said axles extending away from each other progressing toward ends opposite said one set of ends, brace means interconnecting said one set of axle ends whereby the two axles support each other and means mounting in fixed position said opposite set of axles ends, and elongated rotatable driving member journaled on one of said axles between its ends, plural paddle means spaced radially outwardly from said one axle and spaced from each other about the axle, a pair of drive members spaced axially on said one axle, each extending radially out from and secured to said driving member, each of said paddle means being disposed between said pair of drive members and connected to each drive member at opposite ends, respectively, means mounting each of the paddle means on the drive members with the paddle means movable in circular sweeps on rotation of the drive members, feathering mechanism journaled on the other of said axles between its ends and connected to the paddle means operable to produce feathering of the paddle means on their movement in circular sweep, and means for rotating said driving member.

3. In boat propulsion mechanism, a pair of substantially parallel dead axles laterally spaced from each other and having one set of ends adjacent each other, said axles extending away from each other progressing toward ends opposite said one set of ends, brace means interconnecting said one set of adjacent axle ends whereby the two axles support each other and means mounting in fixed position said opposite set of axle ends, an elongated rotatable driving member journaled on one of said axles between its ends, a drive member extending radially out from and secured to said driving member for rotation conjointly with the driving member, plural paddle means spaced radially outwardly from said one axle and spaced from each other about said one axle, each paddle means comprising a pair of paddle sections of substantially equal size and configuration symmetrically arranged on either side of said drive member, means mounting each of the paddle means on the drive member with the paddle means movable in circular sweeps on rotation of the drive member, feathering mechanism journaled on the other of said axles between its ends and connected to the paddle means operable to produce feathering of the paddle means on their movement in circular sweeps, and means for rotating said driving member.

4. In boat propulsion mechanism, a pair of substantially parallel dead axles laterally spaced from each other and having one set of ends adjacent each other, said axles extending away from each other progessing toward ends opposite said one set of ends, brace means interconnecting said one set of axle ends whereby the two axles support each other and means mounting in fixed position said opposite set of axle ends, an elongated sleeve encircling one of said axles between its ends and journaled thereon so as to be relatively rotatable, plural paddle means spaced radially outwardly from said one axle and spaced from each other about said one axle, disk means concentric with and secured to said sleeve for rotation conjointly with the sleeve, means mounting said paddle means on said disk means with the paddle means movable in circular sweeps on rotation of the disk means, said paddle means and disk means being substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to said one axle so that on 6 movement of the disk means the paddle means are balanced thereon, feathering mechanism journaled on the other of said axles between its ends and connected to each paddle means operable to produce feathering on movement of the same, and means for rotating said elongated sleeve.

5. The propulsion mechanism of claim 4 wherein the disk means comprises a pair of disks spaced axially on said one axle, each fixed to said sleeve, and wherein each paddle means is disposed between the pair of disks and is connected to each at opposite ends, respectively.

6. The propulsion mechanism of claim 4 wherein the disk means comprises a disk member secured to said sleeve and concentric therewith, and wherein each paddle means comprises a pair of paddle sections of substantially equal size and configuration symmetrically arranged on either side of said disk member.

7. In boat propulsion mechanism, a pair of substantially parallel dead axles laterally spaced from each other and having one set of ends adjacent each other, said axles extending away from each other progressing toward ends opposite said one set of ends; brace means interconnecting said one set of axle ends whereby the two axles support each other and means mounting in fixed position said opposite set of axle ends, an elongated rotatable driving member journaled on one of said axles between its ends; plural paddle means spaced radially outwardly from said one axle and spaced from each other about said one axle; drive mechanism extending radially out from and secured to said driving member for rotation conjointly with the driving member; mounting means mounting each of said paddle means on said drive mechanism with the paddle means movable in circular sweeps on rotation of said drive mechanism; said mounting means comprising an elongated spindle paralleling said one axle and rotatably mounted on said drive mechanism, a collar fixed to the paddle means encircling said spindle and rotatable thereon, and a pin extending through the collar and spindle; feathering mechanism journaled on the other of said axles between its ends and connected to the spindle of each paddle means; said feathering mechanism being operable to produce feathering of the paddle means on their movement in circular sweeps; and means for rotating said driving member.

8. In boat propulsion mechanism, a pair of substantially parallel dead axles laterally spaced from each other and having one set of ends adjacent each other, said axles extending away from each other progressing toward ends opposite said one set of ends, brace means interconnecting said one set of axle ends whereby the two axles support each other and means mounting in fixed position said opposite set of axle ends, an elongated sleeve encircling one of said axles and journaled thereon between its ends, disk means concentric with and secured to said sleeve for rotation conjointly with the sleeve, plural paddles spaced outwardly from said sleeve and spaced from each other about said sleeve, means mounting said paddle means on said disk means with the paddle means movable in circular sweeps on rotation of the disk means and with the paddle means and disk means symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to said sleeve, and feathering mechanism journaled on the other of said axles and connected to each paddle means operable to produce feathering on movement of the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 4, 

1. IN BOAT PROPULSION MECHANISM, A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL DEAD AXLES LATERALLY SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND HAVING ONE SET OF ENDS ADJACENT EACH OTHER, SAID AXLES EXTENDING AWAY FROM EACH OTHER PROGRESSING TOWARD ENDS OPPOSITE SAID ONE SET OF ENDS, BRACE MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID ONE SET OF AXLE ENDS WHEREBY THE TWO AXLES SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND MEANS MOUNTING IN FIXED POSITION SAID OPPOSITE SET OF AXLE ENDS, AN ELONGATED ROTATABLE DRIVING MEMBER JOURNALED ON ONE OF SAID AXLES BETWEEN ITS ENDS, PLURAL PADDLE MEANS SPACED RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID ONE AXLE AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER ABOUT THE AXLE, DRIVE MECHANISM EXTENDING RADIALLY OUT FROM AND SECURED TO SAID DRIVING MEMBER FOR ROTATION CONJOINTLY WITH THE DRIVING MEMBER, MEANS MOUNTING SAID PADDLE MEANS ON 